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Writer's pictureMaria Wheeler

Little Lab Coats: Bird Feeders

Updated: Nov 19


bird feeders

As the weather gets colder the nature outside your window starts to change. Some birds leave, some stay, and some come back. The landscape changes, and the animals change. Snow covers the ground, plants stop growing, and the food scavengers need to survive becomes less and less readily available. Since many bigger and more destructive scavengers, like bears, are hibernating food can be left out for the smaller animals.


Bird feeders are a great way to support the birds in your area. Birds like a lot of different seeds and nuts so a little research on what your birds like will help make your feeder a lot more successful. Buying a bird feeder is sometimes expensive and can have some artificial food and chemicals that you don't want near your birds. A homemade bird feeder is a fun and really simple activity as it starts to get colder out.


There are many different ways to make a bird feeder and I have listed two below.


bird feeders

Method 1

  • 3/4 cup birdseed (get seeds specific to the kids of birds you have around you)

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 1 small envelope of Knox gelatin

  • twine or string

  • cookie cutters, molds, or mason jar lids

  • wax paper


The Steps

  1. Mix the gelatin with ¼ cup of water and simmer it on the stove.

  2. Remove from the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Don't let it get hard

  3. Stir in about ¾ cup of birdseed.

  4. Put your cookie cutters on wax paper and scoop the birdseed mixture halfway.

  5. Put a loop of twine in the cookie-cutter

  6. Fill up the cookie cutter the rest of the way

  7. Press the birdseed into the cookie-cutter

  8. Dry the birdseed overnight and then remove them from the cookie cutters.

  9. Hang them outside your window for the birds


 

Method 2

  • Peanut Butter - 100% natural

  • Cardboard tube or pinecone

  • Bird Seed

  • String

  • Plate

  • Scissors

  • Something to spread

  • Hot Glue (optional)


The Steps

  1. Tie a string through the tube to make a loop.

  2. Tie a piece of string to the pinecone or an adult can use hot glue to attach it.

  3. Spread a lot of peanut butter on the cardboard tube or pinecone.

  4. Roll in birdseed.

  5. Hang in a tree and wait for the birds to come.


Along with the bird feeder, putting yarn, twigs, and strips of cloth out for the birds to build their nests will be sure to help them through the cold winter.


 

Work Cited

guide, step. “How to make a simple peanut butter bird feeder.” Thrive, https://www.thrive.org.uk/get-gardening/peanut-butter-bird-feeder. Accessed 14 November 2024.

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